Micky van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first backline player to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net two times in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at both ends of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Joanna Hall
Joanna Hall

Elara is a seasoned betting analyst with over a decade of experience in sports statistics and risk assessment, helping bettors make informed decisions.